Electrical Engineering
Introduction
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. Electrical engineering, an amalgamation of what is now called electrical, electronics and communication, instrumentation, computer engineering etc. is the largest of all engineering disciplines. Four well recognised branches of electrical engineering are power, communications, electronics and control systems. In a broader sense, this field covers a range of sub-disciplines including those that deal with power, optoelectronics, digital electronics, analogue electronics, artificial intelligence, control systems, electronics, signal processing and telecommunications. Overlapping of this field with computer has opened up the door to a career in almost any industry.
The field of Electrical engineering involves transmission and generation of electrical power, electrical circuit design, electronics, instrumentation, control system, understanding electrical and electronic networks etc. Electrical engineering is considered to deal with the problems associated with large-scale electrical systems such as power generation and transmission and motor control, whereas electronic engineering deals with the study of small-scale electronic systems including computers and integrated circuits. It includes the design and building of electronic circuits based on the flow of charge through different materials. Alternatively, electrical engineers are usually concerned with using electricity to transmit energy, while electronic engineers are concerned with using electricity to transmit information.
Electrical engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the study of diverse utilization of electricity and equipments that generate and distribute power. This is divided into heavy current (electrical machinery; generating stations and distribution systems) and light current (telecommunications, radar, computers etc.). Conventional areas like generation, allocation, distribution and transmission of electricity come under the purview of electrical engineering. The broad field of electrical engineering involves working with all manners of electronic devices, from pocket calculators to supercomputers. In this area, the engineers' task involves generating, distributing and using electrical power in the fields of communication, control system, electronic computer, industrial electronics and instrumentation etc.
Nature of Work
Electrical engineers design and develop electrical systems, research new and innovative designs and system, supervise and plan manufacturing process of high end electrical systems. This role provides a number of challenges ranging from problem identification and the selection of appropriate technical solutions, materials, test equipment and procedures, to the manufacture and production of safe, economical, high-performance products and services.
Electrical engineers work to combine technology with creativity, taking ideas and turning them into reality. In fact, electrical engineers are involved in the practical application of electrical energy.
Electricity has become the basic need for survival. From household to industrial plants, communication and satellite navigation system, electronic equipment, computers etc., all require electricity. Hence electrical engineering which deals with study and application of electrical systems is widely applicable in each and every aspect of our daily life. Virtually every industry utilizes electrical engineers, so employment opportunities are extensive.
Education & Eligibility
Educational : A bachelor's degree in Engineering is the minimum requirement to become a qualified electrical engineer. A post graduate degree is required for research or teaching posts and an additional degree in business administration is desirable for management positions.
Engineering courses are available at two levels. There are the (B.Sc./BE) degrees and postgraduate (M.Sc./ME) degree courses offered by the engineering universities and colleges and the diploma courses (DAE/ B.Tech) available at polytechnics.
The basic eligibility criteria for a B.Sc./ B.E in Electrical Engineering is F.Sc. or equivalent examination, with high percentage of marks in Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics). While for post graduate programs, one should have done B.Sc./B.E/ in electrical engineering. The program can either be studied alone or can be combined with electronic engineering. One can even opt for super specialty or Ph. D program in electrical engineering. For the purpose, the person should have done M.Sc./M.E in electrical engineering or electrical and electronics engineering.
Selection : Selection to the graduate courses (B.Sc./B.E) is based on merit i.e the marks secured in Metric and F.Sc. and through entrance test.
Duration: B.Sc./B.E courses are of 4 year's duration. The diploma and B.Tech courses are of 2-3 year's duration. Post Graduate course M.Sc./M.E is of 2 years duration.
Abilities Required: An electrical engineer need to have a sharp, analytical and practical mind and attention to details. They should be able to grasp and adapt to new and changing concepts. Good communication skills are also important to communicate their ideas to others in their field. He should be good at organizing and solving problems. He may need to work under pressure and have the ability to keep calm during crisis. Along with various other personal attributes one must also have dedication and commitment towards the profession.
A successful electrical engineer possesses not only an understanding of his area of concentration, but also a broad grasp of engineering in general. An electrical engineer is expected to have detailed knowledge of electrical networks, electrical energy converters and equipments that uses electromagnetic field theory, electrical energy distribution systems etc.
Job Prospects
Scope in electrical engineering lie in the areas of generating electricity, its distribution and transmission. As everything from house to industry requires electricity to function, there are tremendous career prospects in this field in Pakistan as well as in other developed countries across the world. Electrical engineering has a wide scope of applicability and it varies depending upon different needs.
Different types of employers offer jobs to electrical engineers. Employers range from computer-technology corporations and chemical companies to power and telephone companies. Both small and large companies in the private sector and the government sector offer placement for electrical engineers. Electrical engineers can find employment in Electrical equipment and systems manufacturing companies, Power generation and transmission, Telecommunication, Railways, IT industry, Health care equipment manufacturing industry, public sector industries like petroleum, steel and chemical industry, Research and design etc.
Career Options
Electrical graduates are employed in Electricity companies and large industries as engineers and managers, responsible for installation, maintenance, operation of power handling equipments and systems. Industries manufacturing large electrical machines and equipments employ engineers in design, production and testing. Electrical engineers also find employment in atomic power plants, hydroelectric power plants as well as thermal power plants. Many electrical engineering graduates opt for careers in the food, pulp and paper, chemical, aircraft and automobile industries.
Educational Institutions and Research establishments recruit electrical engineers as faculty and scientists. One can also do research work in this field by joining research labs and institutes. Teaching career is also rewarding. They can join an engineering college/university as a full time or part time lecturer/professor. They can also enter into self employment by starting own ventures.
As an Electrical Engineer, entry for junior posts in the Government departments is by direct recruitment through advertisements in newspapers. Selection to Gazetted posts is through competitive examinations (CSS).
Young engineers have chances in the Defence Services also. For selection into the Defence Services- Pak Armed Forces (Army, Air Force, Navy), applications are invited through National dailies.